Gems from the sayings of the Spirit of Wisdom – part 3

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Gems from the sayings of the Spirit of Wisdom – part 3

Roj Fravardin, Mah Dae 1377 Yz.

Continuing our series of beautiful sayings from the Pahlavi word “Datistan i Menog i Khrad”, here is another priceless gem:

The Wise One asked the Spirit of Wisdom: “is Wisdom better, or skill or goodness?”

The Spirit of Wisdom replied: “That Wisdom, with which there is no goodness, should not be regarded as wisdom.

And skill, with which there is no wisdom, should not be regarded as skill.”

A man may have multiple degrees or doctorates, but still be ignorant – because he does not really know how to apply his acquired knowledge for the common good. As he acquires more such education he becomes even more insecure, and attempts to hoard it. For example, a man may stumble upon a cure for a dreaded disease. As per the Zarathushtrian religion, he should share that knowledge for the greater good. But conventional wisdom will lead him to try and “patent” his cure, and monetise it. Which choice is better? The Spirit of Wisdom’s answer clears our doubts.

Similarly a person may have some very unique skills – say an ability to be very proficient in writing computer programming code. But without the wisdom to really channel his skills in the right direction, he may use this skill to hack into protected sites like Banks and Financial institutions and attempt to steal passwords and identities to use for fraudulent transactions. Thus even though he may be skilful, without wisdom to know what is right and wrong as per the Divine Order, his skill leads him towards the Evil Path which may make him successful in the short term but will eventually lead him to ruin.

The Spirit of Wisdom, that is, Ahura Mazda Himself shows us the right path and reminds us that even with wisdom and skill it is still possible to go onto the wrong path. As the Avesta declares:

“Aevo pantao yo Ashahe, vispe anyaesham apantam.”

“there is only one Right Path – the Path of Truth and Righteousness, all other paths are non-paths”

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

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Comments

  1. Nazneen  June 4, 2008

    The path of truth may be filled with hurdles may be troublesome and unacceptable to the mass as all the truth may not be sweet.

    But the one who follows the path of truth & righteousness feels the calmness, the happiness of being close to Ahura Mazda.
    The soul feels blessed and encouraged by guidance of Ahura Mazda.

    This feeling needs to be experienced rather than understood.

    Hence lets hope and pray for more and more people to follow the path laid by our Pak Dadar Ahura Mazda.

    Kshnothra Ahurahe Mazdao

  2. Aspi Maneckjee  July 9, 2008

    Unfortunately many Parsis (not all) from Ottawa, Ontario (whom I knew and considered them as friends), had good skills but have chosen a wrong path. These Parsis have used skiils to exploit the Government departments to collect either disability, UEI, social services falsely instead of working. My ex-wife had done the same by quitting her executive job, and then abandoning me and telling untruths to collect spousal and child support for my daughter, which has made me homeless and penniless. I do not know why these people make people suffer for their enjoyment and free money. “The gift of life is not a treasure hunt. Success can’t be measured through the collection of material possessions. Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, or worn. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude. The treasure is within you. It needs only to be uncovered and discovered
    (Author Dr. Myron Wentz).

  3. Gustad Panthaki  September 16, 2012

    Dear Marzban,
    Reading this post reminds me of a Gujrati saying “bhanya pan ganya nahin” (educated but not learned).
    Gustad

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